23
Double standard: Sharapova Banned But Lepchenko Free
38 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios
Sharapova and Lepchenko both were caught using the banned performance enhancing drug meldonium but only Sharapova received a ban while Lepchenko did not – Is there a double standard for Russian athletes and for Americans? Was the ban of Sharapova politically motivated to intentionally target and punish another Russian athlete following the political pattern of aggressive witchhunting against Russian athletes as we saw with the ban of Russian athletes at the Olympic Games and the cancellation of World Boxing Council No 1 contender Alexander Povetkin’s world heavyweight title challenge of American title holder Deontay Wilder due to traces of meldonium in his system which was later ruled by the WBC to insignificant as they restored his mandatory ranking – It looks like politics is indeed contaminating tennis —
No tags
catherine bell · September 24, 2016 at 2:42 am
I think Lepchenko took it when it was not banned.
But that needs checking.
Scoop Malinowski · September 24, 2016 at 8:34 am
She tested positive four x and also once this year – http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2016/September/Lepchenko-Exonerated-After-Provisional-Suspension.aspx
Hartt · September 24, 2016 at 11:18 am
But the big issue is how long does it stay in a person’s system? Lepchenko can make the case she last took it in 2015, before it was banned at the beginning of this year: Sharapova acknowledged she took the drug in 2016.
I am not impressed with either player; even when the drug was legal they were obviously taking it to get an unfair advantage over their opponents. At least now players will not be able to do that.
catherine bell · September 24, 2016 at 12:52 pm
Hartt –
Yes, that’s what I meant. Lepchenko apparently took it before the ban and presumably not afterwards which is why she got off.
And I agree, not impressed – Lepchenko just another one trying to bolster her fading career via chemical means.
Scoop Malinowski · September 24, 2016 at 6:37 pm
Then why is this coming out now? What i read is Lepchenko used it this year also – This whole business with TUEs really looks suspicious – Hopefully Sharapova will return soon and boost up these smaller events which are drawing poorly –
Hartt · September 24, 2016 at 8:36 pm
Lepchenko claimed she last took meldonium around Dec. 20 last year and since they did not have a clear idea of how long the drug stayed in a person’s system there was no way to confirm or disprove that.
Scoop malinowski · September 24, 2016 at 10:50 pm
Seems like a passive stance on Lepchenko and an aggressive eager rush to judgement on Maria. In my opinion there could very well be a political bias against Russians.
Andrew Miller · September 24, 2016 at 11:13 pm
Sharipova won her match. Sabina Sharipova, that is, from Uzbekistan.
Some other interesting results.
Osaka versus Wozniaki for Tokyo title.
Wow. This might be one of the most important matches of the year. Osaka may win in front of her home crowd. Interesting story of Osaka. Wozniaki too – you get the sense she won’t retire without a slam.
Thiem vs. Pouille for the Metz, France title. Both knock off Simon and Goffin to get there.
Zverev, Alex versus Wawrinka for the St. Petersburg title. Does the US Open champ keep on keeping on? Zverev dimissed Berydch.
In terms of quaalifying for main draws in China. You gotta admit, it’s fascinating to see players in China. Must be a heck of an experience.
Harrison’s on the verge in Shenzen, wins a qualifying match.
Kudla wins a qualifying match in Chegdu, which I didn’t know had a tournament.
Matosevic d. Donaldson in Chegdu qualifying, gets him back for the loss state-side in qualifying this summer.
Players have long memories.
catherine bell · September 25, 2016 at 3:24 am
Wozniaki bt Osaka but apparently both injured…..so everyone now staggers in to Wuhan which should be Simona’s for the taking since she hasn’t put racquet to ball for a while – however 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · September 25, 2016 at 8:28 am
Very big win for Zverev to avenge Berdych -I would say Zverev could win a major next year – Good to see Osaka bounce bac after that heartbreaking loss to Keys at US Open from 5-1 up in the third – Wozniacki is rejuvenated since she hung out with Andrew Golota at US Open –
Andrew Miller · September 25, 2016 at 8:53 am
Kudla and Harrison both qualify for their China ATP main draws in Chegdu and Shenzhen respectfully. Kudla surprising, it took him eight months to recover his game . Harrison keeps on trucking.
When it comes time the Wizniaki two things. First, her coach will be fired. Second, she will be injured win or lose.
Yes I like Osaka. She has a big game with dazzle to it. She may be the one not Kei to hoist a slam trophy.
catherine bell · September 25, 2016 at 10:09 am
Andrew
Wozniaki’s coach is now her father again. Will he be shown the door?
Osaka – at 18 I’d hold back on the Next Big Thing. For a couple of years at least. So many come and go.
Some of these players, male and female, have one or two big defeats and they seem to lose heart, or direction, and then it’s back to the qualifying.
Andrew Miller · September 25, 2016 at 10:55 am
Catherine, see Puig. I was mesmerized by her Olympics and gold medal run. Since then, seems she’s become a version of British Davis cup non Murray players. Inspired playing for the home team and less enthusiastic about the tour grind. She’s been finding nothing but consecutive losses since Rio. That emotional high is probably the best feeling, and the realization sinks in that the event is over and the pro tour grind continues at a frightening pace. I think Agassi talked about it in his book.
Hartt · September 25, 2016 at 12:58 pm
Puig had a terrific run in Rio but she was not a great player before that and she has gone back to her normal level.
Was so excited to see Zverev, a 19-year-old, win St. Petersburg against Stan. And the final in Metz was between 2 younger players, Thiem and Pouille, wiht Pouille getting the title. It is great when the younger guys do well.
Scoop Malinowski · September 25, 2016 at 6:03 pm
Puig is now a target of all the players – she has a rather large X on her back –
Scoop Malinowski · September 25, 2016 at 6:11 pm
Osaka looks like a young Serena out there – big powerful girl who wallops the ball – she’s only eighteen I believe – two majors for her (at least) –
catherine bell · September 26, 2016 at 3:01 am
Scoop – as I said above, bit too early to say about Osaka. I seem to recall a big fuss over Samantha Crawford early in the year.
Yes – good to see younger players doing well but to me it’s the GS tournaments that count.
Hartt/Andrew – agree. I’d be very surprised if Puig emerges a real contender. She just had her moment in the sun.
catherine bell · September 26, 2016 at 3:38 am
Re Wuhan – I gave it to Simona but forgot to note that Kerber has parachuted in – those two have a kind of mini rivalry which could develop if they meet enough times.
Would be good – really need that in the women’s game. A strong rivalry gives a great boost to tennis. Great shame Graf/Seles never got going.
Scoop Malinowski · September 26, 2016 at 8:27 am
Catherine: It’s never too early to jump on a bandwagon 🙂 And the more bandwagons you hop aboard the better chances you have of looking brilliant when they win 🙂 But I like Osaka a lot – she has a distinct eye catching look on the court and a unique intensity – and most important of all she is putting up consistent results in big events at the tender age of eighteen –
Scoop Malinowski · September 26, 2016 at 8:29 am
Lisicki sure has dropped off lately – she was so similar to Kerber and was actually ahead of her for a while – have to grade Lisicki as a disappointment / underachiever –
Scoop Malinowski · September 26, 2016 at 8:31 am
Rivalries are what makes a sport explode -Tennis needs more grudge rivalries with personal tensions and drama but that is lacking now -Kyrgios vs Stan is the only real rivalry right now –
Scoop Malinowski · September 26, 2016 at 9:20 am
Harrison plays GGL in first round Shenzen and he has a 2-0 career head to head vs the Spaniard but they haven’t played in five years – Huge win by Zverev to beat Wawrinka – Next year Zverev cracks top ten or five and wins US Open 🙂
catherine bell · September 26, 2016 at 10:27 am
Yes – genuine rivalries have a bit of needle in them, clash of natures and ambitions. However the PR machines of ATP and WTA are now around ready to squash any outbreaks of real feeling which might cause damage $$$ wise. So kudos to Kyrgios IMO.
Puig out already to Vinci 🙂
Note Halep still droning on about how much easier it is now that Serena is no longer constantly around. That’s not how a player who wants to be a champion should think or feel. Simona ought to zip her lips.
catherine bell · September 26, 2016 at 12:38 pm
More on Simona at her press conference: ‘It’s easier to believe in yourself when you see that Serena is not there anymore, like, winning everything.’
One of the most revealing and somehow shocking comments from a top player I’ve ever heard or read.
Has she no self belief which isn’t linked to what her rivals are doing or not doing ?
She’s a nice player and is very likely a nice person, but there’s a lack somewhere. Self belief is part of any dominating player’s arsenal, goes without saying – and if Cahill can’t instil this into her then perhaps she should look elsewhere.
Andrew Miller · September 26, 2016 at 2:23 pm
Stan leads the Wawa Kyrgis rivalry feud by such a margin it’s no longer necessary.
SH new nickname is sour grapes.
Australian should feature another clamping down by big five but they are at their weakest point in a decade, winning only four slams this year 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · September 26, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Andrew: But when they do play it’s always good theater and good action – a special event –
Andrew Miller · September 26, 2016 at 8:08 pm
Kyrgios is a head shaker. Marvel at his game, find a lot to dislike in the attitude. I think like Agassi in his book Open, Kyrgios just doesn’t like tennis. He likes what it brings to him, likes the competition sometimes, but just would prefer to exit the game, play basketball or something else.
Thing is he’s the best thing in tennis Australia has going for now. But Kyrgios won’t like it much if another Australian steals his fire. And that could happen sooner than you think. Maybe not a guy like Kokkinakis, who everyone likes but who doesn’t quite have the same game & presence; not Tomic either, who has a lot of game but suffers from a similar Kyrgios-ness. But possibly another junior on the horizon.
Australia’s suprisingly good at developing juniors with professional games. Just like Lucas Pouille hit the scene in France and began out-dueling other players in France, the same thing could happen in Australia, and then Kyrgios will look back on this period and say to himself, what was I thinking.
Andrew Miller · September 26, 2016 at 10:50 pm
Interesting results out in Tiburon.
Scoop Malinowski · September 26, 2016 at 11:57 pm
Nice draw in Tiburon – Kozlov thru Clezar and Tiafoe wins a close one in three – Paul needs to beat BBecker –
catherine bell · September 27, 2016 at 3:13 am
Andrew –
Australia has such a long legacy in tennis, going back before WW2, that it’s a matter for concern if they are not developing players.
Same in other sports as well.
catherine bell · September 27, 2016 at 3:18 am
BTW – Happy 25th/35th Birthday to Simona/Serena today/yesterday – maybe some of that self belief might be passed on 🙂
Hartt · September 27, 2016 at 6:59 am
Simona’s birthday did not go well. She was hit on the ear with a ball and had to retire from her doubles match.
Hartt · September 27, 2016 at 7:02 am
Regarding Kyrgios, I am not paying a lot of attention to him now. If he doesn’t care about making the best use of his talent why should we care about his tennis?
catherine bell · September 27, 2016 at 7:25 am
Hartt –
Tennis ball must have been travelling at some speed – anyway, trust she is ok for the singles. I must say I’ve never heard of or seen that happen although I have seen a player almost get knocked out with their doubles partner’s racket.
Kyrgios is young – I can’t be that judgemental. Young people do silly things. He’ll probably straighten up.
If not, then he’ll be gone.
Scoop Malinowski · September 27, 2016 at 8:26 am
Australia has a heap of young players rising – Deminaur Jasika Thompson Reid Kokkinakis Kyrgios – don’t count out the Aussies yet- I predict Australia will win the Davis Cup by 2020 with Nick Tomic Kokkinakis (if he can stay healthy) Groth and Peers –
Scoop Malinowski · September 27, 2016 at 8:27 am
Hoo hit Halep Hartt?
Scoop Malinowski · September 27, 2016 at 8:30 am
Hartt: Don’t believe the smokescreen by Nick – he is working hard and wants it but he creates that illusion that he doesn’t care – He cares – Rios was the same way – he would show a demeanor on the court like he didn’t care – a lot of players do this – it’s a deception – each and everyone cares – that’s why they got to the top – they didn’t get there by not caring or hating tennis – What all these driven players really hate is LOSING – Kyrgios is till maturing —
Scoop Malinowski · September 27, 2016 at 8:32 am
Catherine: I have heard of a player getting hit by all three players on the court with shots and then hit herself somehow 🙂 Kubot told me his partner hit a return that ricocheted off his head straight up in the air and then came down and hit him in the head again 🙂 The craziest things happen in pro tennis –